Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology
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Evaluation of antioxidant activity in crude polysaccharide extracts from two date varieties (Tazerzait “Azerza” and Deglet-Nour)
No full textThe fruit of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. is extensively consumed in Arabian countries and is esteemed for its nutritional attributes, boasting high carbohydrate content and specific vitamins. This study aims to assess the antioxidant potential of polysaccharide extracts from the date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from two selected cultivars, Tazerzait “Azerza” and Deglet-Nour, originating from the Ghardaia region. Crude polysaccharides were extracted from the dates using distilled water followed by ethanol precipitation. Yields from this process were 3.14% for the Tazerzait cultivar and 4.75% for the Deglet-Nour cultivar, indicative of significant polysaccharide content, known for their diverse health benefits. Antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro through DPPH and ABTS assays. Polysaccharide extracts exhibited noteworthy antioxidant activity, notably the Tazerzait variety. In the DPPH assay, the Tazerzait extract displayed an IC50 value of 4.66 mg/mL, indicating effective scavenging of free radicals. Moreover, in the ABTS assay, the extract demonstrated even more potent activity, with an IC50 value of 0.49 mg/mL, underscoring its robust antioxidant properties. These results underscore the strong antioxidant potential of Tazerzait polysaccharides. Polysaccharide extracts from the date palm fruit, particularly from the Tazerzait cultivar, exhibit significant antioxidant activity, highlighting their potential as natural antioxidants. This suggests avenues for their utilization in pharmaceutical and food industries to enhance human health
Study of Eucalyptus pauciflora L. characteristics from Algeria and its impact on the mite affecting honeybees Apis mellifera
No full textEssential oils play a crucial role in biological control against parasites threatening the beekeeping stock, both in Algeria and globally. Their appropriate use helps reduce the adverse effects of chemical products on human health and the environment. The purpose of this study is to analyze the components of Eucalyptus pauciflora essential oil grown in Algeria and to evaluate its impact on the marine shrimp Artemia salina and the mite Varroa destructor, while also comparing it to other species of Eucalyptus from the same region namely, Eucalyptus robusta, globulus, sideroxylon, and amygdalina, which have been examine in previous research. Steam distillation of fresh leaves from Eucalyptus pauciflora yielded 0.73% essential oils. This plant contains a total of thirty-nine chemical compounds, among which the most significant are 1,8-cineole (57.45%), β-cymene (5.44%), spathulenol (5.38%), trans-verbenol (4.31%), and α-pinene (3.11%). A lethality test on brine shrimp (BSL) revealed that Eucalyptus pauciflora exhibits toxicity with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 53.51 ppm. Field trials conducted on hives infested with Varroa destructor showed that the acaricidal effect of Eucalyptus pauciflora is superior to that of amygdalina and sideroxylon species, but inferior to that of globulus and robusta species, all sourced from the same herbarium (Draa Naga) in northeastern Algeria. The results of this research highlight the benefits of Eucalyptus essential oils to be integrated into the formulation of natural acaricides that are environmentally friendly to combat Varroa destructor infestation
Intraspecific polymorphism of pollen grains in Artemisia herba Alba Asso in the Tiaret region (West of Algeria): Pollen polymorphism in Artemisia herba Alba Asso
No full textThis study allowed us to determine the appearance and pollen apertures of 200 individuals of Atrémesia herba alba from three areas in Algeria. The pollen morphology determined at the three stations studied is Tricolorpé, of which two grain shapes were encountered, spherical and elongated with three aper-tures and distinct diameters. Results obtained from pollen di-ameter measurements revealed a significant effect, which con-firms a very marked intra- and inter-population variability of this character. Indeed, the spherical pollen diameters vary be-tween 13.20 and 20 µm (Ain Dheb area) and between 16.56 and 29.90 µm in individuals from the two Chellala areas. The elon-gated pollen diameters from the Chellala region have diameters fluctuating between 34.31/25.46 to 29.90/16.56 µm and have diameters between 19/14.81 and 28.55 /18.54 µm for the Ain Dheb area
Effects of different mulching materials on yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.)
No full textTwo field experiments were conducted during dry season (October, 2019 to March, 2020) at Yezin Agricultural University farm and Sepin research farm, Yamethin, Myanmar to investigate the effect of different mulching materials on yield and yield components of maize. No mulching and six mulching materials (rice straw mulching, rice husk mulching, maize stover mulching, mung bean stover mulching, soybean stover mulching and white plastic polyethylene mulching) were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCB) with three replications on NK-621 variety. The longest days to 50% tasseling (69.67) at Yezin and (71.67) at Yamethin were obtained in no mulching while the shortest days to 50% tasseling (62.00) at Yezin and (64.33) at Yamethin were observed from rice straw mulching at Yezin and white plastic polyethylene mulching at Yamethin. Number of kernel row-1, rows ear-1, row length, kernels ear-1, thousand grains weight were significantly different among different mulching materials at Yezin. The maximum grain yield (5.72 ton ha-1) and (10.39 ton ha-1) were observed from rice straw mulching at Yezin and Yamethin. According to the results, rice straw mulching resulted in the highest yield and yield components of maize at two locations
Plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria isolated from Launaea arborescens (characterization and molecular identification)
No full textThe present investigation aimed to assess endophytic bacteria\u27s capacity to stimulate plant development. Eight endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from the root of Launaea arborescens (Batt.), native medicinal plant growing spontaneously in the region of Bechar (south-west Algeria). The eight strains were tested for their effects on seed germination and plant growth of Triticum aestivum L. The results showed that all strains had positive effects on wheat seeds germination. The seeds inoculation of wheat by endophytic bacteria improves morphological parameters of the seedling (fresh and dry weight of plant, root and stem elongation). 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to identify the powerful strain, it was found as Brevibacillus brevis. This one was found positive for many of the plant growth promoting attributes like ammonia production and azote fixing. In addition, it was identified as resistant to azithromycine during antibiotic sensitivity test and It could tolerate up to 0.9 M of NaCl. Additionally, Brevibacillus brevis was identified as resistant in the herbicide and the insecticide susceptibility test. Results suggest that this endophyte is a strong candidate for use as plant growth-promoting inoculants, to assist in lowering the amount of chemicals used in agricultural practices and enhance nutrient absorption and stress resistance in plant species
Varietal trials and yield components determining variation among okra varieties (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
No full textYield analysis is necessary to test the overall performance of different okra varieties. For this, field experiments were performed during the summer season to assess the yield or production of different okra varieties under open field conditions. The experiment comprised four treatments with seven replicas in an RCBD. The treatments included four different varieties of okra: Arka Anamika, Chiranjeevi F1, Gunjan, and JK 1666. The experimental results showed that the average mean yield of four okra varieties was 98.30 gm per plant. Overall, it was further revealed that Arka Anamika gave the highest yield (101.01gm), followed by Gunjan (98.89gm), Chiranjeevi F1 (96.95gm), and JK1666 (96.37gm). Similarly, other parameters were also analyzed simultaneously to check yield attributing factors which unveiled that plant height was maximum (162.55 cm) in Chiranjeevi F1, followed by Gunjan, JK 1666, and Arka Anamika. Moreover, the number of primary branches was highest for Chiranjeevi F1 (4.47). Contrary to this, the number of pods per plant was also the most significant (3.80) in Arka Anamika. Further, Gunjan topped all the other three varieties in terms of pod diameter (5.53 cm) and weight of pod (25.12 gm). The pod length was highest in JK 1666 (14.83 cm). The data from the experiment also demonstrated that Arka Anamika matured faster (50 DAS) than the other three varieties, which showed Arka Anamika to be more economical for farmers; hence, from our field research, it can be inferred that Arka Anamika is a good variety for farmers growing okra in the Morang area
Effects of fermented banana pseudo-stem sap (Musa acuminata L.) on the growth and yield attributing characters of marigold variety Karma 555-Orange
No full textThe high cost of marigold production through the application of synthetic fertilizers and micronutrients is a major concern for Nepalese farmers. Every year, the nutrient-rich banana pseudo-stems are wasted after harvest. Utilizing the banana’s pseudo-stem for increasing marigold productivity through sustainable agricultural practices, an experiment was conducted to determine the optimum concentration of banana pseudo-stem sap (BPS) to be applied by foliar spraying to marigold variety (Karma 555 – Orange). The BPS was mixed and enriched with different ingredients, such as cow urine, cow dung, neem leaf, green gram leaf, pulse flour, vermin-liquor, jaggery, and fermented curd. The mixture was incubated under anaerobic conditions before applying the foliar spray. The study was carried out in a completely randomized block design, with three replications and seven treatments. The treatments were 0.5 % BPS, 1 % BPS, 2 % BPS, 3 % BPS, 4 % BPS, 5 % BPS, and the control. Data were recorded at 50, 70, and 90 days after transplantation (DAT). Among the treatments, the 3 % BPS solution showed significant effects on most of the growth parameters: plant height (85.07 cm), plant spread (63.47 cm) at 5% level at 90 DAT, and yield attributes such as the number of flowers per plant (74.00) at 5% level, individual flower weight (8.10 g), individual flower diameter (7.55 cm), and flower yield (597.25 g plant-1) at 1% level of significance respectively. It was found that growth and yield attributes increased with increasing concentrations of BPS up to 3 % and decreased thereafter. According to the results, foliar spray of marigold with 3 % BPS (enriched solution) resulted in the highest yield and yield components of marigold in the Chitwan area which could be an effective alternative to synthetic hormones for enhancing the growth and quality of marigolds under field conditions
Effect of different sources of organic fertilizers on crop growth and yield of cabbage
No full textCabbage is (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) a popular leafy vegetable in Nepal, but depleted soil fertility and inefficient production techniques can limit productivity. To address this, we conducted a study in the Jumla district of Karnali Province, Nepal during the 2022 main cropping season. We evaluated the impact of different organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cabbage using a Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments and three replications with the hybrid cultivar \u27Green Coronet\u27. The treatments included Farm Yard Manure, Poultry Manure, FYM + Vermicompost, Vermicompost, Black Wonder, FYM + Poultry Manure, and Sheep Manure. The parameters, including plant height, stem diameter, leaf length and width, head weight, polar and equatorial diameter, head circumference, root and shoot weight, and weight of the head (g) of cabbage were taken for measurement. Our findings showed that organic fertilizers significantly influenced the growth and yield of cabbage, with Vermicompost showing the most potential as a nutrient source for achieving higher growth and yield. The Vermicompost treatment resulted in the largest size of cabbage head (1026 g), while the Farm Yard Manure and Poultry Manure treatments had limited impact. Our results suggest that the use of organic fertilizers such as Vermicompost can lead to higher cabbage production, improved soil fertility, and reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This has significant implications for promoting sustainable agriculture practices, improving food security, and providing economic benefits for farmers and communities in Nepal and beyond